New mazda 3

decies

Any thoughts on the new mazda 3,thanking you in advance.

colm_mcm

Looks good, an evolution of the old one. saw one in the flesh today and it was pleasant enough.

1.6 diesel is the obvius choice.

bazz26

Not gone on the big smiley mouth front on it though:



Also think this colour and those lost alloy wheels combination do it no favours:



Interesting how the 2.0 litre Z-Sport costs €447 to tax, not bad considering it is a petrol engine but at €30k I doubt there will be too many takers here. It only has 151bhp too meaning it will not really replace the MPS in Ireland anyways. 2.2 diesel is interesting alright.

pburns

Evolution mixed with revolution (some pretty bold styling cues). I like, but I have a soft spot for Mazdas. Probably as good as anything in the class (Focus, Golf) but it won't get the credit 'cos the journos love Fords and VWs. It's streets ahead of an Auris anyways...

There is an MPS and it looks much wilder than the old one with a huge bonnet scoop. Unfortunetely it's still FWD like the Focus RS. Should be a decent honest little car with the 1.6d. Small saloons are usually horrid but I think it's quite good:
http://www.channel4.com/4car/gl/gallery/gallery/25680/1

.Longshanks.

pburns wrote: »

Evolution mixed with revolution (some pretty bold styling cues). I like, but I have a soft spot for Mazdas. Probably as good as anything in the class (Focus, Golf) but it won't get the credit 'cos the journos love Fords and VWs. It's streets ahead of an Auris anyways...

There is an MPS and it looks much wilder than the old one with a huge bonnet scoop. Unfortunetely it's still FWD like the Focus RS. Should be a decent honest little car with the 1.6d. Small saloons are usually horrid but I think it's quite good:
http://www.channel4.com/4car/gl/gallery/gallery/25680/1

Now this look sweet. The sleeper element is long gone!

cabrwab

+1 sleeper is gone,

I kinda like it. Such an underrated car in the first place only reason it was is because it was not a focus.

Focus is a great car.
Considering what the mazda 3 is really against auris and tiida i happier being seen in the 3.
Coming from a corrolla as my 1st car car to the 3 was a breath of fresh air felt like a proper car. Car you could enjoy and live with. Pity the plastics are cheap as the interior could look great with better materials.

EPM

I like it. The ones on carzone don't look great though with those tiny wheels. Wonder if it would be possible to order the 182 brake diesel here. Not on pricelist

Tragedy

I hate the new grille

colm_mcm

I doubt a dealer will order a 182 unless they're guaranteed to make massive profits on it. Even if a customer gave me a €3,000 deposit, I wouldn't sleep until it was delivered and paid for.
For that reason, I'd say anyone looking for one should go to the UK.

pburns

EPM wrote: »

I like it. The ones on carzone don't look great though with those tiny wheels. Wonder if it would be possible to order the 182 brake diesel here. Not on pricelist

A review I read said the mid-range 2.2 (around 160bhp?) was a better all-rounder - drivablity, torque-spread etc...